MAIN CAUSES OF FLATULENCE!


Flatulence is a condition of having excessive gas in the stomach or intestine. This may cause a great deal of discomfort and may lead to other embarrassing symptoms like burping or belching. The gas (flatus) formed in the stomach or intestine is a by-product of digestion.

The primary gases in flatus include nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon-di-oxide, oxygen and methane. The gases are produced in direct proportions to the bacteria present in the colon of the digestive tract, that helps to digestor ferment the undigested food that reaches the colon.

Swallowing air, eating certain types of foods like beans, improper digestion, impaired bowel movement and la ctase deficiency are some of the main reasons for flatulence. High fat food must be avoided in those suffering from flatulence. If lactose intolerance occurs in a flatulent individual then milk (and milk products) must be avoided.

Gas: A certain amount of gas is always present in the Gl tract of everyone. Anormal individual passes gas about ten times a day, on an average. If it exceeds this frequency, then it becomes a problem.

Bloating: Bloating is often thought to be due to excessive gas present in the stomach. But that is far from the truth as those who suffer from bloating usually have normal amounts of gases in their Gl tract but experience a delay in emptying of the stomach.

Belching: A couple of belches may be common after a meal but continuous belching may occur if a person swallows too much air. Chronic belching may also be a sign of upper intestinal tract diseases, such as peptic ulcer or Gatroesophageal reflex disease (GERD).

Abdominal pain: Some individuals who suffer from flatulence confuse it with angina if the pain occurs on the left side.

Differential diagnosis

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): It is a common disorder of the GI tract characterized by abdominal pain, discomfort and flatulence.

Colonic diverticulosis: A diverticulum is a sac- like hernia formed through a point of weakness by the mucosal and submucosal layers of the colon wall. Most individuals with uncomplicated colonic diverticulosis do not exhibit any symptoms. A small group of the patients may have symptoms, such as bloating, flatulence, abdominal pain or altered bowel habits.

Psychogenic aerophagia: This is a condition where the person suffers from flatulence due to a stress-related habit leading to an excessive swallowingof air.

Angina: Sometimes angina or pain in the left side which may be due to a heart disease, can be mistaken for flatulence, as the symptom is common in both the condition

In case a person has excessive flatulence, he /she needs to consult a Gastro-enterologist or a General Physician. It is important to seek medical help when a person experiences change in bowel habits, diarrhea, blood in stool, constipation, vomiting nausea, abdominal pain or swelling. Flatulence is treated with antibiotics if unfavorable bacteria cause the flatulence. Medications that improve bowel movement are also administered, in case of constipation.

Compiled by Wilbert Masamba


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